Calvin College Visual Identity

Calvin College Identity Guidelines

The Calvin nameplate and logo are trade marks of Calvin College and may only be used with permission. Please contact the office of communication and marketing for any questions regarding use of the college's identity. Permission is given to Calvin College staff and faculty for use on official Calvin materials provided the use follows these guidelines:

Placement

Calvin nameplates and logos must be placed in their entirety, in the approved arrangements, proportionally scaled and with text portions legible. Maintatin space no less than the width of the “N” in “CALVIN” around all sides of the college marks.

Colors

Calvin College identity marks must be used in maroon (Pantone 202), black or white. When used on a background color or image, make sure the contrast ensures legibility.

Approved Calvin Identity Marks

There are three approved variations of the college mark: a centered version, a right-aligned version and the nameplate without the logo. The alignment variations allow the college mark to fit different layouts and designs. When the primary mark doesn’t fit the space or design style, or seems too formal, the “Calvin College” nameplate may be used without the logon (centered and right-aligned).

Secondary

About Calvin’s Identity

The primary identity mark for the college includes two elements: the “Calvin College” nameplate and the English “heart-in-hand” logo.

The “Calvin College” nameplate consits of “Calvin” in all caps with “College” in upper and lowercase type below. The primary mark is right-aligned. The nameplate must not be typeset with any font.

The “heart-in-hand” logo is based on a seal first used by John Calvin in the 1540s. It’s history at Calvin dates back to the 1910 yearbook “De Theologische School en Calvin College.”* The heart-in-hand graphic is encircled by the motto written in English: “My heart I offer to you lord, promptly and sincerely.”